Facebook's role in Brexit — and the threat to democracy | Carole Cadwalladr

Brexit: A Journey to Ebbw Vale

The Aftermath of the Brexit Vote

• On June 2016, following the Brexit vote, the speaker was tasked by their editor at the "Observer" newspaper to report from South Wales, specifically Ebbw Vale.

• Ebbw Vale is characterized by its rich working-class culture and is known for its Welsh male voice choirs, rugby, and coal mining history.

• The area faced devastation after coal mines and steelworks closed during the speaker's teenage years. Notably, 62% of Ebbw Vale residents voted to leave the EU.

Observations in Ebbw Vale

• Upon visiting, the speaker noted significant changes in infrastructure funded by the EU, including a new college and sports center as part of a £350 million regeneration project.

• Despite visible EU-funded projects like road improvements and a new train line, locals expressed dissatisfaction with the EU's impact on their lives.

Local Sentiments on Immigration

• A young man interviewed claimed he voted to leave because he felt that the EU had done nothing for him; similar sentiments were echoed throughout town.

• Many residents expressed a desire to "take back control," citing frustration with immigrants and refugees despite low immigration rates in Ebbw Vale.

The Role of Media and Misinformation

• The speaker identified right-wing tabloids as sources of misinformation regarding immigration. This was surprising given that Ebbw Vale is traditionally a Labour stronghold.

• A local woman mentioned seeing alarming content about immigration on Facebook, prompting further investigation into social media's role in shaping public opinion.

Lack of Transparency on Social Media Influence

• The speaker highlighted challenges in researching online ads related to Brexit due to lack of archives or transparency from platforms like Facebook.

• Concerns were raised about how data targeting worked during the referendum campaign without accountability or oversight from regulatory bodies.

Electoral Fraud Allegations

• Evidence emerged suggesting multiple electoral crimes occurred during the referendum campaign facilitated through social media platforms like Facebook.

• British laws limiting election spending became ineffective as campaigns shifted online where spending could go unchecked.

Disinformation Campaign Tactics

• In final days before voting, "Vote Leave" allegedly laundered funds through illegal channels while disseminating misleading information about Turkey joining the EU.

• Ads claiming Turkey would join were found deceptive; many voters never saw these ads due to targeted marketing strategies focusing only on specific demographics.

Legal Consequences for Campaign Groups

The Dark Side of Technology and Democracy

The Role of Arron Banks in Brexit Funding

• Arron Banks funded the Brexit campaign, but his financial sources are under investigation by the National Crime Agency due to uncertainty about whether the money was British.

• There are connections between Brexit and Donald Trump's campaign, with claims that Brexit served as a "petri dish" for Trump's strategies.

The Use of Fear and Hate in Political Campaigning

• The same tactics used in both Brexit and Trump’s campaigns involved exploiting fear and hate through social media platforms globally.

• Investigations into Cambridge Analytica revealed they profiled individuals' fears to target them effectively with Facebook ads.

Investigative Challenges and Legal Threats

• Christopher Wylie, an ex-Cambridge Analytica employee, provided crucial insights after months of investigation, despite facing legal threats from Robert Mercer.

• A last-minute legal threat from Facebook attempted to prevent publication of findings regarding their role in data misuse.

Accountability of Tech Giants

• The speaker addresses Silicon Valley leaders directly, comparing current technological issues to historical dangers like gas in coal mines.

• Emphasizes that technology has disrupted electoral laws, leading to a broken democracy where existing laws no longer suffice.

The Future of Democracy at Stake

• Urges tech companies to acknowledge their role in undermining democracy rather than merely promising improvements for the future.

• Highlights that liberal democracy is fragile; illegal funding and misinformation threaten its integrity.

Call to Action Against Authoritarianism

• Asserts that this issue transcends political affiliations; it questions the viability of free elections moving forward.

• Questions whether history will remember tech leaders as complicit in rising authoritarianism due to their refusal to address these challenges.

Collective Responsibility for Change

• Stresses that technology intended for connection is now driving division; urges collective action against unchecked corporate power.